Asia-Pacific

Thailand elects country's first female PM

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-07-03 23:57

Yingluck Shinawatra, sister of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, greets reporters and supporters gathered at her party's headquarters after voting in general elections ended in Bangkok July 3, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

BANGKOK - Thailand's opposition Phue Thai Party's prime minister candidate Yingluck Shinnawatra declared victory while ruling Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva conceded his party's defeat hours after the voting ended in the Southeast Asian nation's general election on Sunday.

"I don't want to say that Phue Thai wins, but Thai people give Phue Thai a chance to lead the country," Yingluck, also the youngest sister of fugitive prime minister Thaksin Shinnawatra, said in a press briefing after learning the unofficial results of the election.

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"I also want to thank Democrat Party who helped creating a good atmosphere for Thai politics," Yingluck said, referring to earlier address made by Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, who admitted Democrat's defeat and congratulated Pheu Thai Party for its decisive victory at about 7:45 p.m. local time on Sunday.

Yingluck Shinnawatra, Thailand's soon-to-be first female prime minister, said that she and Phue Thai will do their best in leading the country.

Thailand's former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra laughs during a meeting near his home in Dubai July 3, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

The 44-year-old photogenic Phue Thai leader is not only going to make it as the first female prime minister of Thailand, but also the youngest female prime minister in the world. She is considerably politically inexperienced, but the fact that she is the sister of Thaksin, the de-facto of Phue Thai, making her the prime minister candidate of the party.  

Abhisit Vejjajiva, who once was elected as Thailand's 27th Prime Minister in 2008, said from now on he would like to see reconciliation in Thai society and that his party will perform its duty as an opposition in a constructive way. He also reminded the winning party to realize all policies that it promised with the people.

Referring to the deposed ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra, Abhisit also reiterated that the Democrats would continue to oppose any act of whitewashing or granting pardon to an individual.

Abhisit is likely to quit the post of party leader if his party cannot win at least 170 seats as he mentioned earlier.

"I cannot tell my fate now as I have to wait for the official results. However, I have made my mind already," he said before ending the press conference without taking questions.

With 86 percent votes counted, the unofficial result from the Election Commission indicates that Phue Thai is likely to be able to secure 258 seats, while Democrat is likely to get 162 seats from the overall 500 seats in the House of Representatives. The official results is expected to be declared on Monday.